MACCE in the News

Easthampton High Scores A National Educational Victory During The COVID-19 Pandemic

June 5, 2020. “Since COVID-19 arrived, the bad news seems unending and recently released scores for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) civics test were no exception. But thankfully, we have some fantastic news about civics education, and it comes from right here in Massachusetts.

This spring, Massachusetts’ Easthampton High School was crowned national champion in the “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution” contest. The competition brings together about 1,200 students from across the country to answer civics questions based on America’s Founding Documents including the U.S. Constitution; The Federalist Papers; and U.S. Supreme Court decisions.” Read more.

Constitutional champions: EHS students win top honors at ‘We the People’ competition 

January 29, 2019. “Students from Easthampton High School and Williston Northampton School placed first and third, respectively, at last weekend’s “We the People: The Citizen and The Constitution” competition, which tests students on their U.S. civics and constitutional knowledge. 

Competing against seven other schools in the state finals on Saturday, EHS won for the second year in a row at the National Conference Center in Boston and earned a spot in the 32nd We the People National Finals in Washington, D.C. from April 26-29. The program is organized by the non-profit Massachusetts Center for Civic Education (MACCE).” Read more.

Norwood student to represent Massachusetts at civics competition

April 18, 2017. “Students from the Class of 2017 at the Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter Public School, including one Norwood student, will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to represent Massachusetts at the national We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution finals on April 22 to 24.

APR’s Political Philosophy and American Government class was selected for this honor on Jan. 28 after competing in the Massachusetts finals at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute. For the competition, students prepare statements for a simulated congressional hearing on topics ranging from British Constitutionalism to interpretations of the 14th Amendment to Indian Tribal Law. Students also work in groups to answer the judges’ impromptu questions on our topic, using the Constitution, Supreme Court precedents, current events, history and philosophy.” Read more.

Mass. Center for Civic Education promotes engaged citizenship among students

July 15, 2016. “When history teacher Roger Desrosiers received a postcard from the Center for Civic Education in 1987 offering free classroom materials for the U.S. Constitution’s bicentennial, little did he know that the organization would become his life’s work. After decades of promoting the study of American history and civics, Desrosiers is now President of the Massachusetts branch of the non-profit, non-partisan foundation. The CCE operates the nationwide We the People and Project Citizen programs that promote civic participation. Their mission is to form responsible citizens who are educated in the principles of democracy.” Read more.

Roger Desrosiers Aids Democracy and Free Elections in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Extensions of Remarks)

October 21, 1997. “Mr. Neal of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding teacher in Massachusetts’ Second Congressional District, Roger Desrosiers. As a teacher at Millbury Jr./Sr. High School, Mr. Desrosiers challenges young minds in his classroom. This past summer, Mr. Desrosiers challenged teachers in Bosnia and Herzegovina to prepare their students for life in a democratic system. Mr. Desrosiers was part of a team of 20 American educators who traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina as part of the CIVITAS Program, developed by the center for civic education.” Read more.